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Faith and Prayer
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memory the promise, “The angel of the Lord encamps all around
those who fear Him, and delivers them.”
Psalm 34:7
. Have them read
that wonderful story of Elisha in the mountain city, with a mighty
encircling band of heavenly angels between him and the hosts of
armed men. Tell them how God’s angel appeared to Peter, in prison
and condemned to death; how, past the armed guards, the massive
doors and great iron gateway with their bolts and bars, the angel led
God’s servant forth in safety.
Picture for them that scene on the sea, when Paul the prisoner, on
his way to trial and execution, spoke those grand words of courage
and hope: “I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life
among you. ... For there stood by me this night an angel of the God
to whom I belong and whom I serve, saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul;
you must be brought before Caesar; and, indeed, God has granted
you all those who sail with you.’” So, because there was in that
ship one man through whom God could work, the whole shipload of
heathen soldiers and sailors was preserved. “They all escaped safely
to land.”
Acts 27:22-24, 44
.
These things were written not merely that we might read and
wonder, but that the same faith which worked in God’s servants of
old might work in us. In no less marked a manner than He worked
then will He work now wherever there are hearts of faith to be
channels of His power. Teach the self-distrustful, whose lack of
self-reliance leads them to shrink from care and responsibility, to
rely upon God. Thus many a person who otherwise would be but a
cipher in the world, perhaps only a helpless burden, will be able to
say with the apostle Paul, “I can do all things through Christ who
strengthens me.”
Philippians 4:13
.
God Is the Guardian of Right
For the child who is quick to resent injuries, faith has precious
lessons. The disposition to resist evil or to avenge wrong is often
prompted by a keen sense of justice and an active, energetic spirit.
Children should be taught that God is the eternal guardian of right.
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He has a tender care for the beings whom He so loved as to give His
dearest Beloved to save. He will deal with every wrongdoer.